Child abduction or child theft means illegally taking away a minor from the protective care of the child’s natural parents or legally appointed protectors. Abduction by people unknown to the child and outside the child’s family is rare. Child abduction is very common in India. It mostly happens in the busy or deserted streets, roads, highways in broad daylight and in night too. In India it is not safe for the minor child to walk alone on the road .Some people do this heinous crime because of money, revenge and make this criminal activity into business .Police is good but not as good to grab these criminals fast . Most of the criminals use four wheeler or two wheeler.
- An individual goes from one place to another – An individual cannot be abducted at the same place where he is. For abduction to take place, the person should actually move from one place to another.
- Either by violent pressure or by inducement – The movement of the individual must be because of some compulsion or because of some inducement. For example, A pressurizes B on gunpoint to go from his house to another city. Here, A has forced B to go from his house and is thus guilty under this section. Here, the age of the abducted person is irrelevant. However a major can be abducted if he is forced to go from one location. If a person under the age of full legal responsibility is abducted, it may amount to kidnapping as well. It is an ongoing offence. As long as an individual is forced to go from place to place, abduction continues.
Section 362 in The Indian Penal Code
Whoever abducts any individual in order that such individual may be murdered or may be so disposed of as to be put in risk of being murdered, shall be punished with 1[detention for life] or strict imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Why children are abducted:
- To be used as prostitutes; the main reasons for child abduction,
- Child abuse and sexual exploitation,
- Organ trade and harvesting,
- A case of flesh eating has also been reported,
- Human sacrifice to please the gods,
- Used as forced labour, family servants, work in factories
- Used as beggars by gangs after hands and legs are chopped off (read about beggars in India),
Child trafficking to international borders, - Forced into marriages,
- Illegal adoption,
- Medical trials; yes it does happen
- Shipped and used as child militia in other countries to fight.
Tips to Prevent Abduction
Thousands of kids are reported missing every year, many of which never return. Children should be taught that if an unfamiliar person comes up to them and asks them for help, it’s okay to refuse. They should not bother about what strangers think about them after refusing help, about hurting feelings or about being rude. Teach them to say ‘NO!’ loud and clear. They must never accept candy, sweets, chocolates or cash from a stranger. Sometimes your child is familiar with like a neighbor could turn out to be a child abuser. So tell your children if a person invites them over and even if it is someone they know they should refuse, no matter how nice the person seems, or how much he insists. Your kids should come home and tell you about any such incidents immediately. Never enter anyone’s home without your consent. If your child is in the building backyard, he should not be allowed to step outside the gates without your permission.
In addition, teach your child to:
- Never take short-cuts through empty alleyways.
- Never accept lifts from strangers, no matter how many times their friends have done it and swear that it’s ‘cool’ and safe.
- Never leave the building garden, school yard or playground without your permission.
- Remember his full name, parents’ full names, complete postal address and telephone number.
- Meet you at a fixed place if he ever gets lost in a mall or packed shop.
- Say NO without hesitation.
- Never ever go up to a stranger’s vehicle on being called to ask for directions or on any other pretext. If any unknown person calls your child to the car, your child should just IGNORE the request and walk on.
Safety on the net
Minor abductors are using new ways of choosing their victim which includes the internet. Thousands of children log on every day, and come in contact with strangers. The internet offers time alone to an abductor and behind all is preferable to hanging around a school yard trying to decide which child to kidnap. Keep the check on the sites your child visits. Encourage him to look through the net not to chat on it. Make sure the PC is in your bedroom or in a common family room, not in the child’s bedroom.